Does anyone else find bay leaf disagreeable? My wife says that it is one of the milder spices, but I think it overpowers everything. She lo

Bayleaf is very powerful. If you are using it, then it what you build off of. There is no masking it's flavor. Take tamales for instance. 1 bayleaf in 5 quarts (20 cups) of stock is enough to cut through all the chillis and spices to be what you taste first and the most.

Fresh bay leaf has a "greener" rounder flavor that is wonderful sauteed--completely different from the sharp spiciness of the dry leaf. I use the fresh leaf for pilaf, chili, sauteed w/onions & garlic.

I remember being taught (by whom is anyone's guess) to remove bay leaf before serving so I never grind it either.

I, too, agree with all the responses. I do notice a stronger, slightly more pronounced flavor with fresh bay leaves rather than dried. I always use one large bay leaf in my stews but recall adding two once and noticing that thestew was off in flavor. I thought two bay leaves were too much, and I do like the flavor but I guess subtle as an underlying flavor. I never grinded my bay leaves, fyi.

I love bay leaves! Yes, you do need to be careful and not add too many. I use freshly picked leaves from my windowsill plant. Not sure what variety it is though...

I agree with everyone. Bay gets out of control pretty quickly. And even though I have a California bay just outside my window, I stock Turkish leaves as well. I never grind it.

Just to note, there is a difference between Turkish Bay Leaves and California, which are twice as strong. Try buying her some Turkish ones for a stocking stuffer this holiday and see if that agrees with you more. Penzey's is a great mail order source for spices.

For me, I like whole bay leaves in moderation, for soups especially, but don't care much to use it as a ground herb/spice.

My husband hates bay leaf, too (among other things............), so much so that I don't cook with it at all anymore. I wonder if it's one of those things like cilantro that tastes different to different people.

i was just having this conversation with someone. i think bay is one of those flavors that can get out of control really fast; there is a huge difference between one bay leaf and two. once there is too much of it, i agree that it stops being pleasant, but in the right amount, i think works because it's hard to discern.

the flavor can also build up and get to be too much for me. a local ice cream shop makes a bay laurel ice cream, and i enjoy a taste or two of it, but i can't imagine eating a whole scoop.